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Anyone have real time intel on Copacabana and Ipanema beach? Heading down end of October, and wanting to relax on the beach and their beach bars with a few drinks. News is inconsistent. Saying beach closed until vaccine. But recent holiday pics showed beaches packed.
[QUOTE=TravelBug2020;2482659]Anyone have real time intel on Copacabana and Ipanema beach? Heading down end of October, and wanting to relax on the beach and their beach bars with a few drinks. News is inconsistent. Saying beach closed until vaccine. But recent holiday pics showed beaches packed.[/QUOTE]Check out the beach cams tomorrow Saturday. There are a few people on the beach now, but it's later in the afternoon and it might be a bit cloudy. Rio is currently New York time plus one.
[URL]https://www.earthcam.com/brazil/riodejaneiro/?cam=rio_copacabana[/URL]
[QUOTE=TravelBug2020;2482659]Anyone have real time intel on Copacabana and Ipanema beach? Heading down end of October, and wanting to relax on the beach and their beach bars with a few drinks. News is inconsistent. Saying beach closed until vaccine. But recent holiday pics showed beaches packed.[/QUOTE]
Don't take it personal, WyattEarp, but that's misinformation. I don't trust media, I trust my carioca amigos. The beaches have been packed during the holiday/last weekend (Brazil National day on past Monday). The brazilians are supermen when they put on a homemade face mask. Listen to Bolsonary, Brazil has won over Covid-19 and is one of the countries that have suffered least. Jair is meio louco, but he has a point. Not making a major lockdown will help Brasil. Wait and see. I think Brasil's 2:nd wave won't be significant. Herd immunity. Anyway, feel free to call me a covard, but I'm thinking of staying far away from Brasil the coming winter. The first time in 30 years.
[QUOTE=Sperto;2482830]Don't take it personal, WyattEarp, but that's misinformation. I don't trust media, I trust my carioca amigos. The beaches have been packed during the holiday/last weekend (Brazil National day on past Monday)............[/QUOTE]I'm not sure what post of mine you are referencing. I have not said the beaches aren't full. I told our young first-timer he could check out the beach cams on a weekend to see what's going on.
[QUOTE=OldBelly69;2481653]Any feedback on American Airline or Delta to Brazil will be appreciated.
Only have used Copa Airline when flying but found out my credit card offered free flight to Brazil using these two airlines.
Looking for feedback on items such as cancelling flight, being on-time and entertainment system (available TV) on the plane.[/QUOTE]I flew American Airline Miami to GRU arriving 5 am Thursday. Fairly new 777 with meal and free beer and wine service. The flight was about 8 hours, the plane was 25% full. I had 3 seats and folded armrests to lay prone and sleep. At GRU I filled out no forms, only showed my passport and medical insurance docs. Stamped and "Welcome to Brazil" I don't remember an easier entry ever. My checked bag was on the carousel waiting. I walked thru the "Nothing to declare" portal and that was it. Airport cash currency exchange was a very low, I believe 4. 6 to the dollar. I went out the front door and immediately to the right at the center island is the Uber waiting area. I ordered an uber to my airbnb and in two minutes, was on my way.
[QUOTE=TreeTopFlyr;2483304]I flew American Airline Miami to GRU arriving 5 am Thursday. Fairly new 777 with meal and free beer and wine service. The flight was about 8 hours, the plane was 25% full. I had 3 seats and folded armrests to lay prone and sleep. At GRU I filled out no forms, only showed my passport and medical insurance docs. Stamped and "Welcome to Brazil" I don't remember an easier entry ever. My checked bag was on the carousel waiting. I walked thru the "Nothing to declare" portal and that was it. Airport cash currency exchange was a very low, I believe 4. 6 to the dollar. I went out the front door and immediately to the right at the center island is the Uber waiting area. I ordered an uber to my airbnb and in two minutes, was on my way.[/QUOTE]What exactly did you show in terms of "medical insurance docs"? I understand that a simple medical insurance card won't do, and that you need something in Portuguese or English that specifically indicates that you're covered for COVID-19. Is that correct?
[QUOTE=TheCane;2483380]What exactly did you show in terms of "medical insurance docs"? I understand that a simple medical insurance card won't do, and that you need something in Portuguese or English that specifically indicates that you're covered for COVID-19. Is that correct?[/QUOTE]I purchased Brazil specific health insurance again with specific covid coverage in Brazil for the entire length of my stay. The company is Seven Corners, and they were touted as one of the reliable carriers when I did my research. The documents are in English and state all areas of coverage and amounts in USD. I don't remember what the low end amount of coverage that is required by Brazil, but it wasn't high. I purchased a higher end package because the extra cost was very small. The immigration lady checked amonts of coverage and dates, and my Brazil visa expires on the last day of insurance coverage. I don't know if cards from other resources are valid.
[QUOTE=TreeTopFlyr;2483304]I flew American Airline Miami to GRU arriving 5 am Thursday. Fairly new 777 with meal and free beer and wine service. The flight was about 8 hours, the plane was 25% full. I had 3 seats and folded armrests to lay prone and sleep. At GRU I filled out no forms, only showed my passport and medical insurance docs. Stamped and "Welcome to Brazil" I don't remember an easier entry ever. My checked bag was on the carousel waiting. I walked thru the "Nothing to declare" portal and that was it. Airport cash currency exchange was a very low, I believe 4. 6 to the dollar. I went out the front door and immediately to the right at the center island is the Uber waiting area. I ordered an uber to my airbnb and in two minutes, was on my way.[/QUOTE]That's good to hear! Please keep us updated on how your trips goes.
[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s-0909-covid-19-entry-strategy-air-passengers.html[/URL]
Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo? I find this video offers some useful comparisons. There are lots of similarities as well as differences actually. The guy's voice and cadence is kind of annoying, but there is some good info here:
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWx3ZqvGd1I[/URL]
Now, I say why choose if you have not experienced either? Like he says in the video, try both to see which one tickles your fancy the most. That way, you'll never have to be guessing about the one versus the other. Each city is a short plane ride from the other. And each offers solid mongering options. So like they used to say at the old brick and mortar library. Check it out! Me personally? I will always try to incorporate both into any future itinerary to Brazil I follow.
By the way, here's a great video all on Rio: [URL]https://youtu.be/UqZOE2keJdY[/URL].
[QUOTE=TheCane;2485185]Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo? I find this video offers some useful comparisons. There are lots of similarities as well as differences actually.[/QUOTE]You and I have been around the Brazil forum for a few years. I kind of get tired by every newbie who stumbles on to this site and reads only enough to figure out RJ and SP are the two primary Brazilian monger destinations. Their first question is:
"Umm, like a, which city is a better place to visit?
If one RTFF, it should be easy to decide which city to visit or whether to visit both. The two cities are not anything alike. The general similarities is that they are large, populated with Brazilians and they both have many mongering opportunities. (Okay, okay SP likely has more.) Then there is always some yokel who's surprised Sao Paulo doesn't have a beach.
If after reading the fucking forum (RTFF) you can't decide, I can only presume the extent of your travels is Las Vegas and sitting in the back of your Dad's SUV en-route to the Grand Canyon.
I think I am going to start a new thread called "Sao Paulo vs. Rio de Janeiro Comparison".
[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2485366]You and I have been around the Brazil forum for a few years. I kind of get tired by every newbie who stumbles on to this site and reads only enough to figure out RJ and SP are the two primary Brazilian monger destinations. Their first question is:
"Umm, like a, which city is a better place to visit?
If one RTFF, it should be easy to decide which city to visit or whether to visit both. The two cities are not anything alike. The general similarities is that they are large, populated with Brazilians and they both have many mongering opportunities. (Okay, okay SP likely has more.) Then there is always some yokel who's surprised Sao Paulo doesn't have a beach.
If after reading the fucking forum (RTFF) you can't decide, I can only presume the extent of your travels is Las Vegas and sitting in the back of your Dad's SUV en-route to the Grand Canyon.[/QUOTE]That's one reason why I posted this. But then again, somebody would still have to RTFF to benefit from the basic information. Sigh!
[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2485366]You and I have been around the Brazil forum for a few years. I kind of get tired by every newbie who stumbles on to this site and reads only enough to figure out RJ and SP are the two primary Brazilian monger destinations. Their first question is:
"Umm, like a, which city is a better place to visit?
If one RTFF, it should be easy to decide which city to visit or whether to visit both. The two cities are not anything alike. The general similarities is that they are large, populated with Brazilians and they both have many mongering opportunities. (Okay, okay SP likely has more.) Then there is always some yokel who's surprised Sao Paulo doesn't have a beach.
If after reading the fucking forum (RTFF) you can't decide, I can only presume the extent of your travels is Las Vegas and sitting in the back of your Dad's SUV en-route to the Grand Canyon.
I think I am going to start a new thread called "Sao Paulo vs. Rio de Janeiro Comparison".[/QUOTE]Honestly, I don't get why any first-timer wouldn't check out both. It's incredibly easy to fly into one and fly out of the other.
I have heard from recent travelers to RDJ and SP that everything is open excluding clubs but how about Bahia? Has anyone gone recently who can speak on if the beaches, bars, nightlife, etc are all open currently? I'm looking to go soon and I'm trying to decide between these three destinations but I want to avoid any curfews and closures.
[QUOTE=Combo;2485389]Honestly, I don't get why any first-timer wouldn't check out both. It's incredibly easy to fly into one and fly out of the other.[/QUOTE]Totally agree, but we still get the "how many days should I spend in each city" question. We don't know. What is important to you?